Mild-mannered Austin calmly remembers his record-setting day in Kansas City

During his eight seasons with the Cowboys, the even-keeled receiver has survived two coaching changes, battled nagging injuries, enjoyed two trips to the Pro Bowl, dated a Kardashian, suffered through some disappointing defeats and received a lucrative extension.

Throughout it all, he’s maintained an equilibrium that a Zen master would envy.

So why should Austin’s memories of the day his life changed forever be any different?

“I thought it was a good game, a big win for us,” he understated.

“It” was a 26-20 overtime win at Kansas City on Oct. 11, 2009 that turned the Cowboys’ season around and transformed Austin from an undrafted fourth-year player from Monmouth into a star.

On Sunday, he returns to Arrowhead Stadium for the first time since he blistered the Chiefs with 10 catches for a club-record 250 yards and two touchdowns, including the 60-yard game winner. It all came in his first career start after Roy Williams hurt his ribs the week before in a loss at Denver that dropped Dallas to 2-2 and put Wade Phillips on the hot seat.

But sparked by Austin’s stunning performance, the Cowboys finished 11-5 and won the NFC East and a playoff game before losing to Minnesota in the divisional round. Austin finished with 81 catches for 1,320 yards and 11 TDs after entering the season with 18 career catches for 354 yards and three scores.

“We caught them in the right coverage sometimes…and I was able to break a few tackles,” Austin said of his record-setting day.

Before the game, then-Chiefs head coach and former Cowboys receivers coach Todd Haley warned the defense not to underestimate Austin.

“(Haley) talked about him all week, saying he was a guy with an incredible motor and a work ethic like none other,” said Dallas cornerback Brandon Carr, who in 2009 was in his second of four seasons with the Chiefs. “He showed up and validated everything coach told us.”

The rest of the team was in the dark about Austin.

“I just had this conversation with him,” said the Cowboys’ Brian Waters, who lined up at left guard for Kansas City that day. “I told him, ‘We didn’t know who you were.’ We were all looking at each other like, ‘Who in the world is 19?’ ”

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, who was offensive coordinator then, still gets goose bumps when he thinks of Austin’s breakout day.

“That’s one of my fondest memories in football,” Garrett said.

With Dez Bryant expected to receive plenty of attention like he did in the opener when the Giants held him to four catches for 22 yards, Austin could enjoy another big day against the Chiefs. Last week, he tied his career high with 10 catches for 72 yards in helping Dallas to a 36-31 win.

“If you say you’re going to cover him less than another guy, he’s going to gash you,” said the Chiefs’ Andy Reid, who coached against the Cowboys the last 14 seasons with
Philadelphia. “You better honor his abilities and make sure you know where he is.”

And if Austin sizzles again? Bet on this: He’ll be calm when it’s over.